Luftwaffe Tropical “Hermann Meyer” Visor Cap, Mint
Price: $3795
BUY / RESERVE THIS ITEMDescription: WW2 German Luftwaffe “Hermann Meyer” Tropical Visor Cap. Textbook complete example of a Hermann Meyer cap with original insignia, side vents, original issue Havelock (neck flap) and original issue chin strap (tan natural leather on one side and having its crosshatched “diamond pattern” on black reverse) Nicely marked,a large size 58 and in mint condition, a hard one to ever upgrade!
BACKGROUND: Visor caps were a standard item for all military personnel during the Third Reich period and regulations dictated the form of dress they were to be worn with, based on the individual’s rank. In late 1940, with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign, the army quickly developed and issued tropical uniforms and equipment in time for DAK, Deutsches Afrika Korps, (German Africa Corps), personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. At the same time the Luftwaffe also developed and introduced their own version of the tropical uniform, headgear and equipment independently from the other branches of service. Originally the tropical uniforms were only intended for wear in North Africa but that was later expanded to include personnel serving in southern areas of continental Europe during the summer months, (May 1ST to September 30TH). Additional tropical items were introduced during the war including the Luftwaffe tropical visor cap which was introduced on April 13TH 1942 for wear by all ranks assigned to tropical climates. The design of the Luftwaffe tropical visor cap was based on the Kriegsmarine tropical visor cap with minor variations. Of Note: Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and headgear and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the Luftwaffe’s Verkaufsabteilung, (Air-Force Sales Department), system although the tropical uniforms and headgear were a departure from this system and were issued to these personnel at no cost. Also Of Note: On the continental visor caps Company and Field grade Officers ranks were distinguished from EM/NCO’s ranks by a silver/aluminum chin cord while General Officer’s ranks utilized a gilt chin cord. On the tropical visor cap it appears all ranks utilized a leather chin strap although some officers appear to have added the chin cords as a personal preference. Luftwaffe personal referred to the tropical visor cap as the, “Hermann Meyer” cap after Hermann Göring’s boastful statement that if the industrial Ruhr region of Germany was ever bombed you could call him “Meyer”.
